SmackdownApril 5th, 2001
Host: Michael Cole and Tazz
Post-RAW clip is shown where the Rock is pissed off in the back that he was fired, chasing after Shane. Shane orders security after him. The Rock starts laying the smackdown on all security members till the cops show up and arrest the Rock. Shane looks happy. (In reality the Rock left to go shoot the Scorpion King film).
Paul Heyman opens Smackdown as he walks down the aisle and gets in the ring.
Paul: My name is Paul Heyman, and I am out here to talk about ECW.
ECW was screwed by the WWF at Wrestlemania X-Seven. Everyone knows that Tazz, who is sitting out here on commentary, had made Eddie Guerrero tap out in the middle of the ring. But no, the new Acting Chairman, Shane McMahon decided that Chris Benoit pinned Rhyno backstage before the Tazmission was locked on Eddie. Here is the thing, there is no footage of this. All we saw was a gang of WWF Superstars beating up on Rhyno. Where is the footage Shane? I don't see it so I am out here demanding that the WWF show footage or I will take legal action...
Shane McMahon walks out on stage.
Shane: I don't know what you're complaining about, in fact I would've never allowed the ECW to be in the WWF in the first place and that's my father's fault for making a binding contract with you people. However, as the new Acting Chairman, I'm a fair man. I know for a fact that
Chris Benoit made Rhyno tap out in the back....
Paul: What! What! What! Rhyno never tapped out?
You're referees claimed it was by pinfall!
Shane: Was it? (Tazz laughs on commentary, Cole says he probably has other things on mind) I can't remember I've been too busy, but I know it happened before Tazz got in the submission and I have WWF Officials and witnesses who can prove it. So if you want to take legal action you can, however as a fair man, I can give the ECW another chance to prove themselves. That's right at
Backlash on April 29th, the ECW can pick one of their best members to take on one of our very best to finally determine who really won at Wrestlemania, the WWF or ECW.
Paul: (has a smirk) Are you sure Shane you want to go there? Because the WWF will be humiliated.
Shane: I have full confidence in our stars.
Paul: Then it's a deal.
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The Undertaker & Kane def. Steven Richards, Bull Buchanan & The Goofather via pinfall after Taker lands the Last Ride on Richards.Triple H makes his way to the arena and Coachman approaches him to tell him that Stephanie wants to see him as they didn't come in together. After a commercial break, Triple H meets with Stephanie.
Steph: Triple H, I'm so glad your here. You have no idea how pissed off my brother Shane is after how you interfered in the main event on RAW and he wants to see you...
Trips: Interfered? Do you call that an interference, or justice?
Steph: Come on, it was Stone Cold Steve Austin. You helped him win. The same Stone Cold who we both hate. And now he's WWF Champion again!
Trips: The whole WWF was ready to walk out on Shane on RAW, why? Because they had enough of screwjobs and what was Shane about to do, try to screw Stone Cold when he was in that sharpshooter. Your brother should be thanking me for saving the WWF.
Steph: Is that what you think? You saved the WWF?
Trips: I don't need this right now...(leaves)
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Cole and Tazz talk about new champions being crowned at Wrestlemania as we get stills.
Chyna is in the back being interviewed by Coachman about how WMX7 was an inspiring moment, and that she's proud to be the Women's Champion again.
Backstage William Regal is meeting with the Hardys. He says since they lost, he wants to see as WWF Commissioner, how they could do in singles matches and wants Jeff Hardy in a match tonight.
Jim Ross has arrived (Smackdown is in his hometown) and Lilian Garcia asks him what he's doing at Smackdown. JR says that it's obvious that he would show up at his hometown, but he has another reason because he is going to interview the new WWF Champion later tonight.
Meanwhile, Kurt Angle is doing situps and William Regal meets with him talking about how proud he is of Kurt's performance at Wrestlemania, but is disappointed who couldn't defeat the Undertaker. Angle says he wants a piece of Taker again, but
Regal says that he has better things for Angle to do and wants him to think about regaining the WWF Championship again. Kurt smiles and likes the idea and Regal says that he wants to be out with him for his match later tonight.
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Rhyno def. K-Kwik via pinfall with the Gore finisher.Clips of Edge & Christian celebrating in a backstage party after their win at Wrestlemania is shown.
Kurt Angle (w/Regal) def. Test via submission with the ankle lock at a little over two minutes in. Angle won't let go of the ankle lock and Regal even tells the referee to not break the hold. Angle finally does as Test is shouting in excruciating pain. After a commercial break, Angle is in the back after his match with Regal. Regal says he's very impressed at how quickly he conquered Test and that Angle is the best he's ever seen. Regal says he will put in a good word with Shane McMahon because it's time for Angle to get back what belongs to him.
Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Debra who says that she's proud of Stone Cold who is here tonight, but also says that she's upset that her friend the Rock, who was the one to introduce her to Austin, was fired on RAW.
Jeff Hardy (w/Lita & Matt) def. The Big Show (c) via pinfall to become the NEW WWF Hardcore Champion after Matt Hardy hits a senton, Lita lands the moonsault, and Jeff hitting the swanton bomb for the pin and win!
Backstage Jeff is celebrating and he hugs and
thanks only Lita as she gives him a peck on the cheek. Matt doesn't look to happy about and may be jealous.
X-Pac & Grandmaster Sexay def. Billy Gunn and Steve Blackman via pinfall after X-Pac gets in his x-factor finisher on Gunn.
Backstage, Triple H is on his way to see Shane till he sees Stone Cold. Austin and Triple H are face to face, but they don't exchange any words and walk away from each other. Back from break, Triple H asks Shane what he wants in his office where Trish and two security guards are with him.
Shane: I was expecting to see you Triple H, because after talking to my sister, I want to give you a chance to apologize.
Trips: (laughs) You want me to apologize?
Shane: Yes.
Trips: Know this Shane you were the one who brought back Vince, you were ready for another screwjob where guys in the back would've walked out if they saw it happened. So you need to be the one to apologize to me, you need to be the one who should be thanking me.
Shane: Are you kidding? I should fire your a$$ right now heck I don't need any of those guys I can replace them with a whole load of talent that are on unemployment as we speak (aka. WCW).
Trips: You brought this all on yourself. Remember this, the game isn't over, it is just beginning....
Triple H storms out slamming the door hard it breaks apart! Shane looks pissed off._______________________________________________
JR is out to a pop from the crowd and in the ring he is on the mic. He calls out Austin, and Stone Cold makes his way out to a huge pop with the WWF title.
JR: Stone Cold, there have been many questions that I have been meaning to ask. After all it was at No Way Out when you won the WWF title, and it was at Wrestlemania X-7 when you lost the title to the Rock. However, in a rematch on RAW, you regained the WWF title so how does it feel to become the WWF Champion for the sixth time?
Austin: It doesn't feel any different than being champion before, but I have to say it feels great as always. The WWF Championship is what it's all about, if you get into this business, and you don't want the title, you might as well quit.
JR: No question about that, but Austin, you had confided in me about the possibility of retiring if you didn't beat the Rock.
Austin: Now that I beat the Rock, fair and square on RAW, I know I got what it takes. After being paralyzed in the ring, and being run over by a car, after all the beating I took in the ring, I know now I can still hold unto the WWF title.
JR: I saw such great sportsmanship on RAW. Two long-time rivals who for the first time shook hands, how do you feel about the Rock now?
Austin: The Rock is a tough sob and earned my respect, professionally and personally. I hope he comes back one day and that's the bottom line.
JR: Vince McMahon, who claimed to be your biggest fan, betrayed you at Wrestlemania and cost you the title in the first place.
Austin: The bottom line is he ain't the Chairman anymore and the next time I see that sob I'm going to stun his a$$. As for Shane McMahon, if he thinks he can try to screw me over, he needs to realize that just like his father, he won't be able put Stone Cold out of business...
Shane makes his way out to stage.
JR: Shane, I'm in the middle of this interview.
Shane: Like I care. Austin, you're a real piece of work. Yeah I tried to screw you, and I would do it again and again because there is nothing more I want to see than to see you retired from the ring. Heck you still have knee braces on. You don't belong anymore in this new era, the Shane McMahon Era. So Austin, I'm going to make it a living hell for you. I'm going to put you in matches that you never thought possible, I'm going to put you in stipulations you've never faced before and trust me you'll wish you retired at Wrestlemania Austin, remember this...I'm not Vince McMahon.
Austin: That's true you're not because you're a bigger jacka$$ than he ever was.
Kurt Angle and William Regal show up running into the ring. Austin starts landing rights and lefts on Angle. Regal jumps JR and knocks him down! Austin fires back at Regal and clotheslines him on the outside. JR starts to fire back on Angle! Angle gets pissed and gets in the
ANGLE SLAM on JR! JR rolls out hurt badly in his hometown as Austin gets pissed, he goes for the stunner, but Angle grabs on Austin's foot and
locks in the Ankle lock! He won't let go! WWF Officials try to come out, but Shane stops them. Austin is shouting in a lot of pain as Smackdown goes off air!